DOCTRINE
If the first two types of books have to do with
the practice of Buddhism, the next type has
to do with the doctrine that supports prac-
tice, which varies greatly from tradition to
tradition. All Buddhist traditions agree on
anatman, non-self or egolessness, and it has
been said that all Buddhist doctrine is an
elaboration on that basic point.
Buddhist study encompasses some
elementary topic areas, such as the life
story of the Buddha and the four noble
truths, that are essential reading to under-
stand what Buddhism is all about, but the
elaborations on these basic themes can fill
many large books—and they do. At close
to a thousand pages, The Path of Purifica-
tion by Buddhaghosa, a core Theravadan
commentary, illustrates the level of tech-
nicality Buddhist doctrine can reach. In
addition to voluminous detail, the Bud-
dhist teachings can also offer extreme
philosophical subtlety and challenge, as
evidenced by Nagarjuna’s teachings on
emptiness. They can also present you with
mystery and enigma, as in the often very
difficult teachings of Dogen Zenji.
Fortunately, there are many books that
provide a ramp-up to these source texts. For
example, Chandrakirti’s Introduction to the
Middle Way is an extremely challenging text
on emptiness, but the recent edition from
the Padmakara Translation Group includes
a fifty-page introduction that is worth the
price of the book. Books on Buddhist doc-
trine—or “view,” as it is sometimes called—
require a significant time investment and
may require the help of a live teacher or two
to help unearth the meaning. The rewards
of such effort are usually significant, though,
since the texts represent the distilled essence
of centuries of meditative insight.
SCHOLARSHIP
Buddhism has always had scholarship,
but in the past “studying” Buddhism was
equated with practicing Buddhism—no
one studied Buddhism from the outside
looking in. Today, however, there are
scores of Buddhist study programs in uni-
versities across the world, resulting in a
wealth of scholarly Buddhist books. ➢
SYLVIA BOORSTEIN (author of Pay Attention, for Goodness’ Sake)
WHAT THE BUDDHA TAUGHT By Walpola Rahula
This book has a special place in my heart. It may be the first text on Buddhism I
read, and it continues to live up to its cover description: “authoritative, clear, logical,
sober, comprehensive and masterly.”
KEN MCLEOD (author of Wake Up to Your Life)
REFINING YOUR LIFE (From the Zen Kitchen to Enlightenment) By Dogen and Uchiyama
Refining Your Life is a wonderful, challenging, and no-nonsense blueprint of how to
be awake and present in daily life.
MINDFULNESS IN PLAIN ENGLISH By Bhante Henepola Gunaratana
A straightforward introduction to the four foundations of mindfulness. Gunaratana
writes with great clarity and has a good sense of humor with respect to the ups and
downs of practice.
BRAD WARNER (author of Hardcore Zen)
ZEN MIND, BEGINNER’S MIND By Shunryu Suzuki
Short, easy to read, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind doesn’t hit you with a lot of obscure jar-
gon and theories. I must have read it thirty times—and thirty times reading Zen Mind,
Beginner’s Mind beats reading thirty other crappy books on Buddhism any day.
DIANA WINSTON (author of Wide Awake: A Buddhist Guide for Teens)
THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF TOFU ROSHI By Susan Ichi Su Moon
Buddhism is way too serious, and this book reminds me to give up all self-improvement.
THE TIBETAN BOOK OF LIVING AND DYING By Sogyal Rinpoche
A book that saved my practice on more than one occasion. It’s an incredible and vast
resource on life, death, and everything in-between.
JOHN TARRANT (author of Bring Me the Rhinoceros)
LOVING WHAT IS By Byron Katie with Stephen Mitchell
A killer application of the Dhammapada with a little koan-style questioning thrown
in. Developed by someone who’s not a Buddhist and learned Buddhist principles
the old-fashioned way—by falling off her donkey.
AJAHN AMARO (co-abbot of Abhayagiri Monastery)
THE LIFE OF THE BUDDHA By Bhikkhu Nyanamoli
A comprehensive compendium of the classical teachings in a compact form. The
translations are accurate, readable, and poetic, and it pulls together a large propor-
tion of the key elements of dhamma.
JOAN SUTHERLAND (founding teacher of The Open Source)
CHAN BUDDHISM By Peter D. Hershock
Blending two kinds of insight, scholar-meditators are producing some of the most
exciting Buddhist writing—like this account of classical Chinese Zen. Chan is pow-
erful, beautiful, and strange, and this book does it justice. ♦
May We Suggest The Shambhala Sun asked a number of well-known
Buddhists about books they recommend to friends who inquire about Buddhism.
SHAMBHALA SUN MAY 2006 93